Pope Benedict XVI expresses sympathies at the death of Patriarch Pavle of the Serbian Orthodox Church

(November 19, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his condolences at the death of Patriarch Pavle of the Serbian Orthodox Church and has sent his message to Archbishop Amfilohije, to the Holy Synod and all the members of the Church. The message read that the late Patriarch in a long tenure in the service of the Gospel gave testimony of faith and spiritual fortitude even in particularly difficult times, marked by conflicts and wars. The Pope called on the Lord that his example will be of comfort to the hearts of his followers and other people of good will who, spurred by his perseverance, will commit to fully live the Christian faith and to serve with zeal the great cause of reconciliation and peace.” Recalling the relationship with Catholic Church the Pontiff said: “I remember with gratitude the generosity and warmth which His Holiness Pavle reserved for members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church during the plenary meeting in September 2006 in Belgrade. Several gestures of brotherhood towards the Catholic Church and the meetings between Catholics and Orthodox have taken place with his blessing.” The Pope then said that the passing away of Patriarch Pavle is the sure hope of his "birth to Heaven" and his memory will continue to inspire a strong spiritual growth in the people he served with dedication and generosity. Patriarch Pavle, who led Serbia's Christian Orthodox Church through its post-Communist revival and called for peace and conciliation during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s, died peacefully on Sunday. He was 95 and was the oldest living leader of an Eastern Orthodox Church body and had served as its head for nearly two decades. The funeral is held on Thursday 19^th November in the Cathedral of St. Sava in Belgrade. On behalf of the Pope Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, and Archbishop Orlando Antonini, the apostolic nuncio in Serbia attended the funeral.